Gainesville Baha'i’s host community Expo

By GARY KIRKLAND
Sun staff writer

FYI: Community expo
When: 6:30 p.m. Dec. 16
Where: Gainesville Woman's Club, 2809 W. University Ave. Hosted by Baha'i’s of Greater Gainesville to honor those civic and social organizations that "provide an opportunity to connect our community to the family of man."

Information: Call Taraneh Darabi, 377-4616.
For the past 24 years, the Baha'i’s of Greater Gainesville have taken time to single-out an individual who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help others.

The list of past recipients of the Baha'i Human Rights Award have worked to help children, the homeless and those who suffer with AIDS. They've honored those who have helped take down the walls that separate people.

But this year, on the 25th anniversary of the award, the Baha'i’s have decided to try something different -honor all the groups who work for human rights.

Taraneh Darabi, who chairs the event, said some of the organizations help children, the elderly and women, but in the bigger picture those all fall under the category of "human rights."

She thinks there can be some positive impact from bringing these groups together.

"Linking all those together would help us and bind us to have a better community and support each other," she said.

So this year, on Dec. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Gainesville Woman's Club, the Baha'i's will host an "expo" of civic and social organizations that "provide an opportunity to connect our community to the family of man."

Over the past 25 years, Darabi has worked in some capacity on the awards committee. She recalls in the early years nominees were scarce, but over time more and more organizations have nominated people to be honored.

But the impact of giving the award has gone beyond individual who receives it.

"It's made our Gainesville citizens more cognizant of the issues they are working for," she said.

Gary Kirkland can be reached at 338-3104 or kirklag@gainesvillesun.com